Welding Apprentice Journey (Apprentice Diaries)

How's your relationship with your training provider?

My training provider is Rochdale Training and Ryan, my tutor works well to make sure everyone is learning at the highest standards. He involves himself when needed apart from the Test Pieces practical work as they need to be solely completed by us. Matthew comes into Hargreaves to give us reviews on how we are doing and to check on our welfare.

Is it a different environment at Rochdale Training and at work?

At Hargreaves you are in a large unique factory surrounded by experience and at Rochdale Training its all about learning. My first test piece was a toolbox. Before that I did a range of shelves, phone holders and 2D shapes to get used to to the cutting. When we do these models I write a step by step of how I’ve created them and then a risk assessment.

Does that help in your overall development?

At Rochdale Training it’s beneficial to succeeding as everyone around you wants to qualify. I enjoy giving and receiving advice to the people in my class.

What have you learnt that has been beneficial to the work at Hargreaves?

Some things I have learnt that has helped working at Hargreaves is analysing the drawings from our engineers and what they key is. At first it was difficult to read and understand it but now it feels like second nature. Using the guillotine, knocking up joggled edges and swages into the metal I have learnt in my practical work. I have an understanding of the tasks at hand much clearer and doing a satisfied amount of work for Hargreaves. After completing my welding code I’ve been dabbling in the welding side this year. I look to progress further with more coding’s and understanding.